TB  no 

#6/6 


DT10537abM 


No.  117. 


THE  GATE  OF  PRAYER. 


Having  been  employed  one  evening  in 
reading  the-  first  part  of  the  11th  chapter  of 
Luke,  which  contains  various  excellent  di- 
rections and  pleasing  encouragements  rela- 
tive to  the  duty  of  prayer,  I  leaned  back 
on  my  sofa,  and  indulged  my  contempla- 
tions. I  fancied  that  I  was  standing  oppo- 
site a  large  and  ponderous  gate,  which  was 
the  outward  entrance  to  the  palace  of  the 
King  of  the  country.  At  the  top  of  this 
gate  I  observed  the  following  inscription, 
written  in  large  golden  characters,  '  Knock, 
and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you.'  I  felt  desi- 
rous to  do  this,  but  resolved  first  to  notice 
the  manner  in  which  others'might  act. 

I  had  not  waited  long  before  I  saw  a  gay 
gentleman,  elegantly  dressed,  approaching 
in  a  beautiful  photon.  - '  He  staid  for  a  few 
moments ;  but  on  reading  the  inscription, 
he  exclaimed,  *  I  have  no  inclination  to 
knock,  or  to  enter  this  gate  ;  *I  am  too 
much  engaged,  and  I  think  all  the  beauties 
of  the  palace  would  not  repay  my  trouble, 


if  I  were  to  go'aud  examine  them.'  Say- 
ing this,  he  dashed  away  down  the  broad 
road  which  was  opposite. 

The  next  person  I  observed" was  a  man  of 
demure  appearance,  who  seemed  to  possess 
an  affected  gravity  of  countenance.  He 
went  up  to.  the  gate  in  a  fearless  manner, 
and  appeared  secure  of  admission  ■;  for  he 
said  that  he  knew  the  porter  at  the  gate, 
that  he  had  associated  with  many  who  had 
been  to  the  King's  palace,  and  had  received 
many  proofs  of  his  Majesty's  kindness.  He 
therefore  called  out  to  the  porter,  and  de- 
sired him  to  open  the  gate  for  one  who  was 
a  friend  to  the  King,  and  who  was  well 
known  to  many  of  his  best  servants  and 
officers.  To  this  request,  which  was  re- 
peatedly made,  no  answer  was  returned, 
and,  at  length,  he  departed  -frojn  the  gate, 
disappointed  and  confounded. 

The  third  person  who  attracted  my  atten- 
tion, marched  up  to  the  gate  with  an  elevat- 
ed mien  and  confident  step,  as  if  he  posses- 
sed a  right  to  enter,  and  was  conferring  a 
favor-on  the  Prince  by  approaching  his  man- 
sion. He  read  the  inscription  on  the  gate ; 
but,  seeing  that  the  knocker  was  towards 
the  bottom,  and  that  he  must  stoup  to  reach 
it,  he  resolved  to  content  himself  with  strik- 
ing the  door  with  a  stick  which  he  held  in 


his  hand;  but  he   could  not  obtain  admit- 
tance, and  went  away  with  indignation. 

When  I  observed  those  unsuccessful  at- 
tempts, I  was  much  discouraged,  and 
thought  that  it  was  useless  for  me  to  try;  I 
was  therefore  going  to  depart ;  but,  on  look- 
ing* up  to  the  gate,  I  saw  the  inscription 
written  so  plainly,  and  sigued  by  the  seal 
manual  of  the  King,  that  I  resolved  to  Stay 
a  little  longer. 

Soon  a  pilgrim  appeared  journeying  to- 
wards the  gate.  His  eye  was  fixed  intense- 
ly on  the  inscription  ;  but  he  was  not  suffi- 
ciently careful  in  choosing  his  way,  so  that 
he  often  stumbled.  He  knocked  at  the- 
gate, -audit  was  immediately  opened  ;  but, 
in  his  hurry,  he  fell  down,  and  it  was  shut 
by  the  porter,  who  said  to  him,  '  Watch  and 
pray.'  However,  he  knocked  again,  and 
being  more  caretul,  was  then  admitted. 

I  next  noticed  a  poor  weary  beggar,  al- 
most destitute  of  clothing,  and  nearly  per- 
ishing with  hunger  When  he  came  to  the 
gate,  his  eyes  glistened  with  pleasure  at 
reading  the  inscription.  He  kneeled  down 
on  the  ground,  and  took  hold  of  the  kaock- 
er;  but*  en  looking  at  himself,  and  ieeing 
his  unworthy  condition  to  appear  before  his 
Lord,  I  stiw  tears  drop  from  his  eyes ;  but 
he  soon  wiped  them  olf,  and  resolred,   4If 


I  must  perish,  I  will  perish  m  the  act  of 
peeking  admittance.'  So  he  lifted  up  the 
knocker,  aad  gave  a  rap,  when  the  gate  was 
immediately  opened,  and  he  was  admitted 
with  many  cheerful  welcomes,  while  he  ex- 
claimed, *  Open  to  me  the  gates  of  righte- 
ousness :  I  will  go  into  them,  and  Twill 
praise  the  Lord :  this  gate  of  the  Lord,  into 
which  the  righteous  shall  enter.  I  will 
praise  thee :  for  thou  hast  heard  me,  and 
art  become  my  salvation,'  Psa.  cxviii. 
19—21. 

After  this,  I  beheld  another  person  some- 
what similar  to  the  former,  though  he  pos- 
sessed much  more  boldness.  He  continued 
knocking  for  a  longtime  without;  any  suc- 
cess ;  but  he  was  not  discouraged,  and  re- 
peated his  efforts  with  ardor  and  importuni- 
ty. While  he  was  thus  employed,  and  ap- 
peared to  meet  with  ■  uo  success,  he  pulled 
from  his  bosom  a  scroll,  and  read  these 
words  aloud:  'Verily,  verily, -I  say  unto 
you,  Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  the  Father 
in  my  name,  he  will  give  it  you,'  John  xvi. 
2o.  'Yes,'  exclaimed  the  pilgrim,  'these 
are  the  precious  words  of  my  Diviae  Re- 
deemer, <vho  shed  his  blood  on  the  cross  for 
my  salvation,  and  who  is  now  exalted  ts 
heaven  as  my  great  Intercessor.  Then  iie 
turned  to  his  scroll,  and  read,  '  We  have 


not  an  High  Priest  whick  cannot  be  touch, 
ed  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities;  but 
was  in  ail  ^points  tempted  like  as  we  are,  yet 
without  sin.  Let  us  therefore  come  boldly 
unto  the  throne  of  grace,  that  we  may  ob- 
tain mercy,  and  find  grace  to  help  in  time 
of  need,'  Heb.  iv.  15,  16.  As  he  read  these 
words,  he  lifted  his  eyes  to  heaven,  the  teav* 
rolled  down  his  cheek,  and  he  grasped  the 
knocker,  and  made  the  gate  resound  again 
and  again.  Still  he  appeared  to  be  unno- 
ticed, the  gate  remained  close  shut.  He 
seemed  to  hesitate  for  a  moment,  his  knocks 
became  faintef ;  but  he  again  pilled  out 
the  scroll  fro^u  his  besom,  and  read,  'Men 
ought  always  to  pray,  and  not  to  faint,'  Luke 
xviii.  1.  i  Pray  without  ceasing.  In  every 
thing  give  thanks;  for  this  is  the  will  of 
God  in  Christ  Jesus  concerning  you,'  1 
Thess.  v.  17,  18.  As  he  read  these  words, 
he  knocked  with  stilF  greater  energy  and 
importunity.  At  length  he  obtained  a  hap- 
py entrance,  when  he  cried  «ut,  '  This  is 
the  gate  of  heaven,'  Gen.  xxviii.  17. 

On  again,  looking  round  me,  I  beheld  at 
some  distance  a  trembling  traveller  advanc- 
ing towards  the  gate.  As  he  approached,  he 
was  accosted  by  a  man  of  a  haggard  look, 
and  a  frightful  countenance,  who  told  him  it 
was  of  no  use  for  him   to  seek   admittance; 


6 


because  such  a  person  as  he  was  would  not 
only  be  refused,  but  bo  punished  for  his  au- 
dacity. The  traveller  made  no  answer,  but 
continued  his  course.  Soon  after  he  was  so- 
licited by  one  with  whom  he  was  formerly 
intimate,  to  go  with  him  down  the  broad 
road  opposite ;  and  on  his  refusal,  he  was  re- 
proached and  abused.  When  he  arrived  at 
the  gate,  and  was  about. to  knock,  he  began 
to  ieel  his  courage  failing,  and  many  fears 
arose  in  his  mind,  lest  he  should  be  refused 
admittance:  he  was  almost  inclined  to  de- 
part; but  when  he  looked  at  the  glorious 
promise  just  above  him,  and  saw  that  a  strong 
light  from  heaven  seemed  to  shine  upon  it, 
he  took  courage ;  he  knocked,  and  was  im- 
mediately received.  He  arose  from  his  knees 
with  comfort  and  joy,  and  triumphed  over  all 
his  enemies  and  all  his  difficulties. 

Having  witnessed  these  pleasing  scenes,  I 
resolved  to  apply  for  admission  without  any 
further  delay.  I  accordingly  went  up  to  the 
gate,  and  gave  so  loud  a  knock,  that  it  rous- 
ed me  from  my  slumber.  I  was  then  ena- 
bled to  reflect  on  the  folly  of  neglecting 
prayer  ;  on  the  sin  of  performing  this  duty 
in  a  hypocritical,  proud,  or  unwatchful  man- 
ner; and.  also,  on  the  benefits  of  an  humble, 
importunate,  and  faithful  spirit  of  devotion. 
Blessed  are  tho3e_who  watch  daily  at  the  gate 


of  prayer,  and  wait  at  the  posts  of  her  door. 
They  shall  be  received  into  the  presence  of 
their  God,  and  shall  obtain  eternal  happiness, 
through  Jesus  Christ,  '  the  way,  the  truth, 
and  the  life.' 


PRAYER. 

Prayer  is  the  soul's  sincere  desire^ 
' ,  Utter'd  or  unexpress'd  ; 
The  motion  of  a  hidden  firer 
That  trembles  in  the  breast. 

Prayer  is  the  burden  of  a  sigh, 

The  falling  of  a  tear, 
The  upward  glancing  of  an  e}*e, 

Whea  none  but  God  i8  near. 

Prayer  is  the  simplest  form  of  speech 

That  infant  lips  can  try  ; 
Prayer' -the  sublimest  strains  that  reach 

The  Majesty  on  high. 

Prayer  is  the  Christian's  vital  breath, 

The  Christian's  native  air  } 
His  watchword  at  the  gates  of  death  ; 

He  enters  heaven  by  prayer. 


Prayer  is  the  contrite  siuner's  voice, 

Returning  from  his  ways  ; 
While  angels  in  their  songs  rejoice, 

And  say,  "  Behold,  he  prays!" 

The  saints  in  prayer  appear  as  one, 

In  word,  and  deed,  and  mind  ; 
Wbgn  with  the  Father  and  his  Son 

Their  fellowship  they  find. 

Nor  prayer  is  made  oh  earth  alone  ; 

The  Holy  Spirit  pleads; 
And  Jesus,  on  the  eternal  throne, 

For  sinners  intercedes. 

0  Thou,' by  whom  we  come  to  God, 

The  life,  the  truth,  the  way: 
The  path  of  prayer  thyself  hast  trod  ; 

Lord,  teach  us  "  how  to  pray  "      » 

-Montgomery. 


Hollinger  Corp. 
pH8.5 


